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Bligh asks ALP to support gay marriage

Kym Agius

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has urged her federal colleagues to support same sex marriage at this weekend's national Labor conference.

On Wednesday night, Queensland parliament added to the pressure on the ALP by joining Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT in passing a bill that recognises same-sex civil partnerships.

Gay marriage is on the agenda at the party's national conference this weekend.

Labor's cross-factional gay marriage advocates on Wednesday said they were confident they had the numbers to change the party's platform on the issue.

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard would support a conscience vote but has previously said she considers marriage to be between a man and a woman.

Ms Bligh said she supported the party changing its policy on same sex marriage and a conscience vote on the issue.

"I hope that my colleagues nationally will do as my colleagues here have done," she told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday.

"That is recognise that people who are in love, people who form relationships, have the same human rights as everybody else to have them recognised."

Queensland late on Wednesday night gave same sex couples the right to enter into legally recognised civil unions, which does not affect the Marriage Act.

The bill passed 47 votes to 40, with all 31 opposition Liberal National Party (LNP) MPs voting as a block against it.

Australian Marriage Equality National Convener Alex Greenwich said the new Queensland laws should pressure federal Labor to change its position.

"When we have the traditionally-conservative Queensland parliament accepting the legal recognition of same-sex relationships through official ceremonies it's a safe bet Australia is ready for same sex marriages," he said.

Healthy Communities, a health promotion charity that works with Queensland lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities said the vote was an important milestone.

"The passing of this Act brings lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Queenslanders a large step closer to full equality," executive director Paul Martin said.

"While the LNP couldn't bring itself to support civil unions, we hope that they can support initiatives to reduce suicide and mental health problems among LGBT people and tackle the wider health and wellbeing problems that affect our communities."

The Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland said the Labor government was committed to reducing discrimination against same-sex couples.

"We believe that the legislative changes are an appropriate step that will tie in with the principles adopted under the Anti-Discrimination Act which stipulate that you are unable to discriminate against someone due to their relationship status."